"Win one for the Gipper." It's perhaps the hallmark one-liner in Notre Dame's legend. Everyone knows Gipp died of a streptococcic throat infection during his senior season in 1920; a scene future U.S. President Ronald Reagan later portrayed in "Knute Rockne, All-American." Few realize, however, just how good Gipp was. He starred at multiple positions for the Irish from 1917-20, and his school-record 2,341 rushing yards stood until 1978. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry, a Notre Dame record that still stands.

View FullscreenClose

Johnny Lujack, QB

Lujack made quite the statement in his first start against Army in 1943. He threw three TDs and had an interception in a 26-0 win. After a three-year stint in the U.S. Navy, Lujack returned in 1946 and became one of the best T-formation quarterbacks in the game. Lujack remained a key figure at the height of the Notre Dame-Army rivalry; his touchdown-saving tackle on Doc Blanchard preserved a scoreless tie in 1946. He won three national championships and the 1947 Heisman Trophy.

View FullscreenClose

Leon Hart, DE/TE

Hart is one of two linemen to win the Heisman Trophy, and he's one of Notre Dame's most-decorated winners. Hart played a key role on three national championship teams, and the Irish were 36-0-2 in that four-year stretch. Hart played defensive end, tight end and fullback. He's one of three players to win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship before going on to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft; an elite fraternity that includes Angelo Bertelli and Cam Newton.

View FullscreenClose

Paul Hornung, QB

Anybody nicknamed "The Golden Boy" makes this list. Hornung is the only player from a losing team to a win a Heisman Trophy, but that's not a fair evaluation. He played quarterback, left halfback, fullback, safety and kicker for Notre Dame from 1954-56. He accounted for more than half of Notre Dame's scoring as a senior and finished with 1,337 total yards. Hornung went on to lead the NFL in scoring three times as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

View FullscreenClose

Raghib Ismail, WR

"The Rocket" made his living as a game-breaker on Notre Dame's national championship contenders in 1988-90. The two-time All-American finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1990. Ismail is best known for his big-play ability; he had two kickoff returns for TDs against Rice in 1988 and again against Michigan in 1989. He averaged 22.0 yards per catch and 27.6 yards per kick return throughout a highlight-reel career.

View FullscreenClose

George Connor, G/T

Legendary sports writer Grantland Rice wrote that the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Connor was, "the closest thing to a Greek god since Apollo." Connor is considered the best offensive linemen in Notre Dame history. He played both guard and tackle. He was a two-time All-American for national championship teams in 1946-47. He also won the Outland Trophy in 1946.

View FullscreenClose

Tim Brown, WR

Brown kick-started a Heisman Trophy bid in 1987 with back-to-back punt returns for touchdowns in a win against Michigan State. Brown emerged as one of college football's most-feared receivers, and he averaged more than 20 yards per catch as both a junior and senior. He finished with 1,847 all-purpose yards as a senior and went on to be a nine-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.

View FullscreenClose

Johnny Lattner, HB/DB

Lattner is another multi-talented star to make this list. He played halfback, receiver, punter, returner and defensive back from 1951-53. Lattner won the Heisman Trophy in 1953 as part of Notre Dame's national title season. He finished his career with 1,724 rushing yards and 20 TDs on offense and 13 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries on defense.

View FullscreenClose

Ross Browner, DE

Browner is arguably one of the best defensive ends in college football history. He's certainly one of the most decorated. The two-time All-American helped Notre Dame win national championships in 1973 and 1977. He won the Outland Trophy in 1976 and Lombardi Trophy in 1977. He finished with 340 tackles, most by a Notre Dame interior lineman.

View FullscreenClose

Tony Rice, QB

Rice gets the slight edge over several player for the final spot on this list. Don't agree? Consider that Rice led Notre Dame to its last national championship in 1988, won 23 straight games as a starter and is the only player in school history with more than 3,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards.